News Content

Transport sector must note Australian, NZ's North Korean sanctions

THE transport sector is being urged to be aware of sanctions enforced by Australia and New Zealand on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), although they deal mainly with issues that will have limited impact on air cargo.

Failure to do so can potentially lead to prosecution, with a range of penalties available in sentencing. Even if an infringement does not extend to such extremes it can involve a shipper, forwarder, customs broker or carrier in unwelcome documentation and quite probably in equally unwelcome scrutiny by border agencies for a long time, according to an article published by Perth's Aircargo Asia-Pacific.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has a vast amount of information about sanctions on its web site: www.dfat.gov.au

The number of countries covered by sanctions might come as a surprise. DFAT outlines the background to each and the obligations and responsibilities inherent in each.

Sometimes Australia opens its intention to sign up for or impose sanctions with public consultations to ensure there are no unintended consequences or unfairness. DPRK sanctions came under review late last year.

New Zealand has also been reminding shippers and the freight sector of their responsibilities, especially with the DPRK sanctions that came into effect on May 18.

A NZ Customs trade advisory noted "brokers are asked to take particular care with their entries to ensure correct country of origin, to avoid delays which may be caused by miscoding. Particular attention should be paid to the obligation on importers and exporters to present to customs for inspection all goods which have originated in DPRK or are destined for DPRK".

The advisory also explained that it wasn't just a matter of importing goods from DPRK or exporting them there. The sanctions extend to goods that have "been brokered by or on behalf of the government of DPRK, a national of DPRK or a designated person".

And, it stressed, they covered goods "that have been carried on or are to be carried on a ship that is registered in DPRK or uses the DPRK flag; or an aircraft registered in DPRK".